Loom harness



1952 J. J. KAUFMANN 2,619,991

LOOM HARNESS Filed Dec. e, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. .I

INVENTOR. JOHN JACOB KAUFMANN ATTORN EY.

1952 J. J. KAUFMANN 2,619,991

LOOM HARNESS Filed Dec. 9, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. JOH N JACOB KAUFMANN ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 2, 1952 LOOM HARNESS John Jacob Kaufmann, Elkins Park, Pa., assignor to Steel Heddle Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 9, 1948, Serial No. 64,303

12 Claims.

This invention relates to loom harness and it relates more particularly to an improved form of heddle supporting rod for use in loom harness frames and to novel means for supporting the heddle rods in the frames intermediate the ends thereof.

More specifically considered, the present invention relates to the heddle supporting rods, and to the means for supporting said rods intermediate their ends, in loom harness of the type particularly adapted to be used in installations in which the warp is entered in the harness by means of automatic drawing-in machines.

It is, of course, understood by those familiar with weaving, that in installations of the character aforesaid it is necessary that the heddles have complete freedom of movement from one end of the frame to the other without any interference from the devices, commonly called hooks, which are employed for supporting the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide, in a heddle frame, an improved form of heddle supporting rod which is particularly adaptable to loom harness of the type used in installations in which it is necessary or desirable for the heddles to have complete freedom' ofmovement on the supporting rods on which they are mounted.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with heddle supporting rods, of the character aforesaid, improved means for supporting said rods intermediate their ends, which supportin means are so constructed and arranged as to permit said rods to be disconnected at one end of the frame for the purpose of removing or adding heddles without at the same time disconnecting the said rods from their intermediate supports. 1

The nature and characteristic features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a 100m harness frame having mounted therein heddle supporting rods, and means for supporting said rods intermediate their ends, embodyin the main features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 isa fragmentary detail, enlarged, of a portion of one of the heddle rods with one of its intermediate supporting devices shown in connection with a portion of one of the rails of the frame;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section thereof taken on the line 3-3, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the heddle rods, detached;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the form or embodiment of the invention in which a pair of heddle rods is mounted at both the top and bottom of the frame, one of the rods being shown detached from its supporting device;

Fig. '7 is a vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6, but with the rods in operative positions; and

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 with the rods in operative positions.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawing herein are illustrative merely, and that various changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, as there shown the frame proper may be of ordinary construction comprising top and bottom rails 10, connected by and struts l I joined to the ends of the top and bottom rails 10 in the usual manner.

The heddle rods l2 are mounted at their ends in slots or recesses 13 in the end struts II, and are normally maintained therein by spring latches M which may be of any preferred form such, for example, as are shown in my previous application for Letters Patent filed April 17, 1947, Serial No. 741,972, now Patent No. 2,560,512.

The heddle rods 12 of the present invention are, however, of a peculiar conformation, the same being preferably flat on one vertical face thereof but provided with a central longitudinal recess on the other face, whereby the rods in cross-section will each have a central web 15 of approximately one-half the thickness of the top and bottom portions 16.

The heddles 43 which are preferably used in connection with the structure of the present invention are of the type shown in my previous Letters Patent No. 2,047,511, dated July 14, 1936, and No. 2,386,690, dated October 9, 1945, although other types of heddles may be used in connection therewith, if desired.

Thepreferred means for supporting the hedd1e rods intermediate the ends are shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. The same include a plate member l1 extending inwardly from the inner edge of the rail 10 in which it is mounted.

The plate member 17 may be carried by the aeiaeoi enlarged head portion I8 of a bolt member I9, the other end of which is threaded as at 20. The threaded end 20 of the bolt I9 is engaged by an internally threaded sleeve 2I which is provided with a flange 22 positioned between plates 23 and 2 3, which are secured in a recess in the outer edge portion of the rail I; I, r

The sleeve '2I also h'a's a slotted endportion 25 at the outer end thereof which may be engaged by a screw driver for the purpose of adjusting the bolt 19, and the plate member I'I carried thereby, with respect to the rail.

The plate member I! is provided with a pair of arms 26 extending parallel to-the main'plane of the frame, and the end of each of said arms 26 is bent or otherwise shaped as at 2I to provide a lug to bear against the fiat side of th heddle rod I2, forming a bearing therefor and also serving to guide the same when it is being mounted in the frame. ,7

The plate member I! also has a lockingimember 28 secured thereto by, means of rivets 29. The locking member 28is ofa thickness whereby the same may be locatedzwithin the recesses 34 and35 in the, heddle rod ;'I2 and the same is spaced a sufiic'ient. distance from the plate'member I! by means of a spacer member 30. I

The locking member 28 has'anj enlarged portion SI at. each end,. and the webgportion I of the heddle rod I2 has apertures 32 and '33 therein through which the enlarged end portions 3| of the locking member 28 maypass 'whenthe rod is being placed in the'frame,and' the web I5 of the heddle rod is also provided with slots 34 and'35, one of which preferablyextends from the aperture 32.to,the aperture 33..

The foregoing arrangement is suchithat'in the mounting of a heddlefrod. I2 "in the frame, the enlarged end'portions v3| of the locking member are first passed through the apertures 32 and 33 until the flat face of the heddle rod I2' bears against the lugsj2'I-formed on the ends of 'the arms 26' of the plate. member I1, and thereafter, when the heddle, rod is moved lengthwise the enlarged end portions 3| 'of the locking member will engage the web I5 of the heddle rod-one'ach edge of 1711631011534 and Y35.

When itis :desired'to add or remove heddles from the frame, itiis merely necessary to "detach the spring latches Id 'at the one end of the frame, asfor examp1e,,,at the righthand end of'the frame shown in. Fig. 1' of .the drawings, and to then slide the ,heddlero'd I2 lengthwise inthe frame until the end of the rod atthe righthand end of the frame is freed from the 'slotor recess I3, and at the same time to disengage the spring latches at that end of the frame from the rod.

. It will ordinarily not be necessary to slide the heddle rod a sufficient distance forthe enlarged portions 3i of the lockingfmember to be'disengaged from the portions of the web I5Iwith which they are in engagement, but by merelyspringing the end offthe rod out of the central plane of the heddle frame, the'heddles'may'be readily.

removed from the rods I2 or, if 'desired,'"additiona1 heddles maybe placed thereon.

After such changes as are desired," are made, the heddle rod I2 may be replaced at its end meanwhile ,being slid lengthwise to the initial normal position.

In Figsid 'l and 8 of the drawings thereis shown a modified formof'thedevice'in' which a pair of heddle rods I2 is provided at'the top and bottom of the frame, the structure in this in- 4 stance being substantially the same, with the exception that a projection or lug 21 is provided on each side of the plate member IT by suitably bending or otherwise forming the ends of the arms 26.

In this form of the invention the flat faces of each of the pair of heddle rods are disposed toward each other and on each side of the plate member 26 there is provided a locking member 28 of the same character as that heretofore described with respect to the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. In this form a pair ofspacing members 30 of the same character as those 'used in the other form ar emp-loyed.

The foregoing arrangement is used, as shown more particularly in Fig. 7 of the drawings, in those installations in which the heddles are mounted in the frame in two sets, such as is frequently done in the weaving of fabrics of high count.

I claim: o

1. In' loom harness including a heddle frame having top'and bottom-rails, end struts-connecting the ends of said top and bottom railspheddle rods removably mounted in-the'frame, meansfor detachably securing the ends of the-heddlerods, and means for sup-portingthe-heddle rods at-locations intermediate theends thereof,-said-heddle rods'be'ing'fiat on one 'verticaL-face thereof but having on-the' other face thereof-a solid'integral thickened'portion along at leastone-edgethereby to provide a "longitudinal recess on sai'd face.

2. 'In loom harness including-a heddle frame havingztop and bottom rails, end struts-connecting the ends of 'said top and bottom railsheddle rods removably'mountedin-the frame, meansfor detachably securing the-ends of the-'heddlerods, and means forsupportingth heddle rods-at locations intermediate the ends thereof ,said heddle rods being flat on one verticalface-thereof but having a central longitudinal recess on the-other face thereof and "the means for supporting the heddle rods intermediatethe endsthereof comprising theprovision; ateachlocation; of amember supported from the rail'having'portions bearing against the aforesaid flatface of--the' heddle rod, and locking means carried 'by said member having portions extending-'- through the-recessed portion of the heddle rod and having other portions positioned within the longitudinal recess in the heddle rod when-the'parts' are'assembled. 3. In loom-harness including a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, end struts'connecting the endsof said-top-and-bottom rails, heddle rods removably mountedin the frame, means for detachably securing the ends ofthe heddle rods, and means for supporting the heddle rodsatlocations intermediate the ends thereof, 's'aid heddle rods each having a -central" longitudinal recess on at least one face thereof; and'the m'eans for supporting the-heddle rods intermediate 'the ends thereof comprising" the provision, at' each location, of a plate member supported'f-rom-the rail, said "plate member having arms'p'rovided with-extending portionsbearing against one'fa'ce of the'heddle rod; and lockingmeans carried by said plate member havingportions adapted-to pass through'apertures in'the-heddle rodto lock and means forsupporting the heddle rods at cations intermediate the ends thereof, said heddle rods having a central longitudinal recess on at least one face thereof, and the means for supporting the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof comprising the provision, at each location, of a plate member supported from the rail, said plate member having arms provided with extending portions bearing againstone face of the heddle rod, and locking means carried by said plate member having portions adapted to pass through apertures in the heddle rod to lock the rod to the plate member, the parts of the locking means which pass through the apertures being positioned within the longitudinal reces in the heddle rod when in the locking position.

5. In loom harness includinga heddle frame having top and bottom rails, end struts connecting the ends of said top and bottom rails, heddle rods removably mounted in the frame, means for detachably securing the ends of the heddle rods, and means for supporting the heddle rods at 10- cations intermediate the ends thereof, said heddle rods having a central longitudinal recess on at least one face thereof, and means for supporting the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof comprising the provision, at each location, of apertures in the heddle rod, a bolt member adjustably mounted in the rail, a plate member carried by the end of said bolt member, said plate member having portions bearing against one face of the heddle rod, and locking means carried by said plate including members adapted to pass through the apertures in the heddle rod and to be positioned with respect to the heddle rod to lock the rod to the plate member, the parts of said locking means which pass through the apertures being located within the longitudinal recess in the heddle rod when in the locking position.

6. In loom harness including a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, end struts connecting the ends of said top and bottom rails, heddle rods removably mounted in the frame, means for detachably securing the ends of the heddle rods, and means for supporting the heddle rods at 10- cations intermediate the ends thereof, said heddle rods having a central longitudinal recess on at least one face thereof, and'means for supporting the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof comprising the provision, at each location, of apertures in the heddle rod, 3, plate member supported from the rail, said plate member having portions bearing against one face of the heddle rod, and a locking member carried by said plate member having portions adapted to pass through the apertures in the heddle rod and to be slid lengthwise with respect to the heddle rod to positions to lock the rod to the plate member, said locking member being spaced from the plate member, and being positioned within the longitudinal recess in the heddle rod when the parts are assembled.

'7. In loom harness including a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, end struts connecting the ends of said top and bottom rails, heddle rods removably mounted in the frame, means for detachably securing the ends of the heddle rods, and means for supporting the heddle rods at 10- cations intermediate the ends thereof, said heddle rods being flat on one vertical face thereof but having a central longitudinal recess on the other face thereof, and the means for supporting the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof comprising the provision, at each location, of aper- 6 tures in the heddle rod, a plate member supported from the rail, said plate member having portions bearing against the flat face of the heddle rod, and a locking member carried by said plate member having portions adapted to pass through the apertures in; the heddle rod and to be slid lengthwise with respect to the heddle rod to positions to lock the rod to the plate member, said locking member being spaced from the plate member, and being positioned within the longitudinal recess in the heddle rod when the parts are assembled. r V

8. In loom harness including a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, end struts connecting the ends of said top and bottom rails, heddle rods removably mounted in the frame, means for detachably securing the ends of the heddle rods, and means for supporting the heddle rods at locations intermediate the ends thereof, said heddle rods being fiat on one vertical face there, of but having a central longitudinal recess onthe other face thereof, and the means for supporting the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof comprising the provision, at each location, of apertures in said heddle rods, a plate member supported from the rail, said plate member having arms provided with sidewise extending portions bearing against the fiat face of the heddle rod, and a lockin member carried by said plate member having portions adapted to pass through the apertures in the heddle rod and to be slid lengthwise with respect to the heddle rod to positions to lock the rod to the plate member, said locking member being spaced from the plate member, and being positioned within the longitudinal recess in the heddle rod when the parts are assembled.

9. In loom harness including a heddle frame having top and bottom rails. end struts connecting the ends of said top and bottom rails, heddle rods removably mounted in the frame, means for detachably securing the ends of the heddle rods, and means for supporting the heddle rods at 10- cations intermediate the ends thereof, said heddle rods being flat on one vertical face thereof but having a central longitudinal recess on the other face thereof, and the means for supporting the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof comprising the provision, at each location, of apertures in said heddle rods and longitudinal slots adjacent thereto, a plate member supported from the rail, said plate member having arms provided with sidewise extending portions bearing against the flat face of the heddle rod, and a locking member carried by said plate member having portions adapted to pass through the apertures in the heddle rod and to be slid lengthwise with respect to the heddle rod to positions opposite the slotted portion to lock the rod to the plate member, said locking member being spaced from the plate member, and being positioned within the longitudinal recess in the heddle rod when the parts are assembled.

10. In loom harness including a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, end struts connecting the ends of said top and bottom rails, heddle rods removably mounted in the frame, means for detachably securing the ends of the heddle rods, and means for supporting the heddle rods at locations intermediate the ends thereof, said heddle rods being flat on one vertical face thereof but having a central longitudinal recess on the other face thereof, and the means for supporting the heddle rods intermediate the ends thereof comprising the provision, at each location, of

apeimreein sucm heddi e' rqds 'ahd :iofi it dinai slots;ad acent thereto,emit-member-ad ustemy mounted in the rail;- a, =platel member carriedfby the: end of said b'olt =member; said -blate' member having armsfl-provided with sid'ew'iseextending por'ti0ns' beairing" against the new fei'ce' of 'the h'ddle rod,-- and a docking member" carried by s'aid plate member having portione adapted topass through the'- apertures :in the 'heddle 16d" and =to beslid lengthwise with respect to the heddle' rod to positions opposite the slotted portions to lOc'k the rod to the plate member, said lockingmember being spaced from the plate member; and being p0sit1oned-within the longitudinal recess the heddle' rod when -the parts' areassembled.

11. In- 106m harness; heddle rods for "sup'p'prting' the heddles having'one vertical face thereof flat but: havingoli the-other face thereofa," sblid mtegral' thickened po'r'fibn along at least 0n'e'-"dge thereby to provide a longitudinalrecess on said 20 other face.

12. In-10om-ha-rness,'hedd1e rods for supporting 

